The HAART cell phone adherence trial (WelTel Kenya1): a randomized controlled trial protocol

Abstract

Background: The objectives are to compare the effectiveness of cell phone-supported SMS messaging to standard care on adherence, quality of life, retention, and mortality in a population receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Factors Associated with Attrition from HIV Care during the First Year after Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in Kenya

“…The total sample size, determined by the sample size required for the trial, [12] was 538. There were 74 and 96 attrition events in this study at 6-and 12-months respectively, which was adequate to build models with the five factors we selected.…”

“…This timeframe included the month of their expected visit and up to three months after. The participants' level of responsiveness was categorized as non-responsive (responding to 0% of the messages); least responsive (responding to 1%-19% of the messages); poorly responsive (20%-49%); moderately responsive (50%-79%); or highly responsive (≥80%) [12].…”

Contextual Barriers to Mobile Health Technology in African Countries: A Perspective Piece

“…The underlying rationale for using this low-cost functionality is that high-performance devices are not required to transmit data. For example, the effects of mobile phone SMS on antiretroviral treatment adherence in Kenya was examined 17,18 . These studies provide empirical evidence that mobile health initiatives can improve HIV treatment outcomes.…”

Retention and attrition during the preparation phase and after start of antiretroviral treatment in Thyolo, Malawi, and Kibera, Kenya: implications for programmes?

“…Thus, when a patient in the preparation phase of ART does not turn up for a scheduled appointment, no action is taken, i.e., this is not reported and existing patient tracing systems make no effort to find them. We suggest (a) to agree on a standardized definition of loss to follow up for those in the pre-ART phase, e.g., 'a patient not seen for one month or more after the date of scheduled appointment', (b) routinely record those who do not turn up for scheduled appointments and (c) ensure that existing and other innovative patient tracing systems (e.g., cell phone calls and SMS reminders) 9 are activated for all enrolled patients (ART-eligible or not) who miss scheduled appointments.…”